If your children are looking for a useful but simple skill to pick up, consider handing them a ball of yarn, a pair of knitting needles, and this book.

Colorful and friendly, Kids Knitting by Melanie Falick covers a variety of handy tricks and stitches:

• Casting on.
• Binding off.
• Basic knitting and purling.
• Taking a gauge.
• Making tassels.
• Ribbing.
• Knitting in the round.
• Picking up dropped stitches.

To add interest, these skills are taught through a variety of projects:

• Scarves.
• Patchwork afghans.
• Puppets.
• Backpacks.
• Socks.
• Even sweaters!

But don’t be fooled by the title and the child-friendly format.  An adult with no prior experience with knitting could pick this book up and become proficient, as well.  There simply isn’t an easier way to learn how to knit.

No matter what your age is, if you or someone you know wants to give this handy skill a try, start with Kids Knitting.